Google is rolling out Developer Preview 2 of Android 16 to Pixel devices. This update is expected to be the last major Android update of the year. Android 16 DP2 features changes designed to enhance app experiences, improve battery life, and boost performance.
Some notable features include new APIs that allow applications to offer more complex haptic effects. These APIs enable apps to define the amplitude and frequency curves of a haptic effect. Adaptive Refresh Rate, introduced in Android 15, enables the display refresh rate on supported hardware to adapt to the content frame rate.
This reduces power consumption and eliminates the need for mode-switching that can cause jankiness. The system photo picker is adding cloud search capabilities, which will be available to both developers and end-users soon. A new ACTIVITY_INTENSITY data type is being added to Health Connect.
New APIs help enable predictive back system animations in gesture navigation, such as the back-to-home animation. Android 16 Developer Preview 2 is available for Pixel 6 through Pixel 9 devices, as well as the Pixel Fold, Pixel Pro Fold, and Pixel Tablet. The update comes with the December 2024 security patch and is intended for developers only, not for daily or consumer use.
Google unveils Android 16 updates
The Android 16 Beta Program will be available next month. Devices running Android 16 DP1 will receive an OTA update to DP2.
If you’ve already installed Beta 2 from the Android 15 QPR2 Beta program, you can flash Android 16 Developer Preview 2 without having to wipe your device first. For more information and detailed instructions, visit the official Google developer site. Google has added a new setting in Android 16 DP2 that allows users to unlock their Pixel 9’s fingerprint sensor even when the screen is off.
This feature, called “Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock,” can be found under Settings > Security & privacy > Device unlock > Face & Fingerprint Unlock > Fingerprint Unlock. The Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock feature functions as described on the Pixel 9 Pro. A deeper investigation into the Settings app code reveals that the feature requires an ultrasonic under-display fingerprint scanner, a hardware component present only in the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL models.
For those who don’t wish to install Android 16 DP2 or have an older Pixel, there are existing options to make your fingerprint sensor more accessible. These include the always-on display, lift to check phone, and tap to check phone features. In addition to this new fingerprint feature, Android 16 DP2 offers a host of new developer features.
Stay tuned for more detailed coverage as the team delves into the update to uncover additional functionalities.
